An Event Celebrating the Beloved Classic in the Skies of Tokyo Announced — 'The Little Prince: A Journey to the Skies in Search of Something Precious,' Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Its French Publication

Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52F, Tokyo City View, operated by Mori Building Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO Yasuhiro Mukae), will host a special event titled 'The Little Prince: A Journey to the Skies in Search of Something Precious' from November 13, 2026 (Fri) to February 14, 2027 (Sun), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the French publication of 'The Little Prince.'

'The Little Prince' is a masterpiece by French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, recognized as one of the world's top three bestsellers. In 2026, marking the 80th anniversary of its original French publication, this large-scale event will be held at Tokyo City View, a 52nd-floor observatory offering panoramic views of the sky above Tokyo.

This event will explore how Saint-Exupéry, a pioneering aviator in French aviation history, became a writer and created the timeless classic 'The Little Prince.' Through faithful reproductions of the original drawings that inspired many of the story's elements, visitors will uncover the profound messages embedded in the work.

The author's message about 'l’essentiel (the essential) — what is truly important' continues to resonate across regions, languages, cultures, genders, ages, and even time, offering insight and empathy to readers today. By combining the breathtaking views of Tokyo's skyline with the grand cosmic journey of 'The Little Prince,' along with original drawings that inspired the creation, books published worldwide, and photo spots, this event offers a deeply immersive experience into the story's world. Why not embark on a journey to discover what 'something truly precious' means to you, inspired by the messages left behind by Saint-Exupéry?

About 'The Little Prince'

'The Little Prince' is the final and most celebrated work by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a world-renowned French author. The story follows a pilot narrator who crash-lands in the Sahara Desert due to engine trouble and meets a mysterious young boy — the Little Prince from a distant star. Over ten days, they form a deep bond before parting ways, during which the pilot learns about the Prince's travels. Through its characters, the book conveys the author's enduring message about 'l’essentiel (the essential) — what is truly important,' a theme that transcends geographical, linguistic, cultural, gender, age, and temporal boundaries, continuing to move readers around the world.

Since its first publication in the United States in 1943, the book has been translated into over 660 languages and dialects, with cumulative global sales exceeding 300 million copies. In Japan, it was first translated and published by Iwanami Shoten in 1953, and has since been reprinted in various formats including paperback and new book editions. With over 6.4 million copies sold in Japan as of 2010, it ranks as the best-selling children's book, the top-selling translated book in history, and the third best-selling literary work overall.

'The Little Prince' was first published in April 1943 in New York, USA, by Reynal & Hitchcock, in both English and French editions.

In contrast, the book was first published in Saint-Exupéry's home country of France in April 1946, after the end of World War II, by Éditions Gallimard. The year 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of its French publication, a milestone worth celebrating.

About the Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A French writer and aviator, born in Lyon, France, in 1900.

He was a pioneer in establishing air routes across Northwest Africa, the South Atlantic, and South America, and one of the early night flight pilots. His works based on these experiences, such as 'Courrier sud' (Southern Mail, 1929) and 'Vol de nuit' (Night Flight, 1931), which portrays the noble efforts of mail pilots battling the Andes and Patagonian wilderness, were hailed as a new form of literature that explores the human condition through moments of intense action, earning praise from figures like André Gide. His 'action-oriented' literature created a fresh literary domain by capturing high human values and solidarity in dangerous situations. 'Le Petit Prince' (The Little Prince, 1943), which questions the meaning of life through the encounter and parting of a crash-landed narrator and an otherworldly prince, has gained countless readers worldwide. During World War II, he joined the French Air Force, went into exile in the United States after France's defeat, and later rejoined the French Air Force under the Allied forces at the start of the Liberation War, before disappearing on a reconnaissance mission the following year.

Event Overview

◆ Exhibition Title: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the French Publication 'The Little Prince: A Journey to the Skies in Search of Something Precious'

◆ English Title: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the French Publication

'Le Petit Prince: A Journey to the Skies in Search of Something Precious'

◆ Period: November 13, 2026 (Fri) – February 14, 2027 (Sun)

◆ Venue: Tokyo City View (Roppongi 6-10-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo; 52F, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower)

◆ Opening Hours: 10:00–22:00 (Last entry at 21:30)

◆ Admission Fee: Not yet determined

◆ Organizer: Tokyo City View

◆ Supervision: Medialink Group, Whateversmiles

◆ Support: J-WAVE

◆ Planning & Production: Hakuhodo, Movick Promote Service

◆ Official Website: https://tcv.roppongihills.com/jp/exhibitions/hoshinooujisama/index.html

◆ Tokyo City View Official SNS (X): @tokyo_cityview (https://x.com/tokyo_cityview)

◆ Inquiries: Tokyo City View 03-6406-6652 (Reception hours: 10:00–20:00)

※ Additional details will be announced in due course.